Barbados’ 12-month Welcome Stamp Programme received 3 257 applications by the end of 2021, and of those, 2 163 were approved.
According to the data provided, the top five leading countries whose citizens are seeking entry under the programme are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria and India.
From the applications received, 65 per cent were from individuals and 35 per cent from families. A further breakdown of the statistics revealed that 62 per cent of the applicants were male, while 38 per cent were females.
Those applying under the programme have occupations in fields such as: Technology and Communication; Marketing; Finance; Manufacturing; Education and Training; Law; Distribution and Logistics and Public Administration.
The recent statistics were compiled by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., with data received from the Barbados Immigration Department.
The Welcome Stamp Programme was introduced in July 2020 by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. In July 2021, the Senate passed the Remote Employment Amendment Bill, 2021, which allowed for the extension of the existing legislation governing the Welcome Stamp.
The Remote Employment Act 2020-2023 allows for the Welcome Stamp to be renewed, fees to be paid, and for the renewal of the stamp itself for those persons who have been resident in Barbados under the programme for a year.
The Welcome Stamp Programme seeks to assist in diversifying the island’s tourism product, attract a new type of visitor and to generate foreign exchange. (BGIS)
